COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: Special Topics: Creative Writing: Screenwriting

Date submitted: 5/16/06 (06-43)

Department: English and Humanities

Curriculum: Creative Writing

Course Descriptors:

Make certain that the course descriptors are consistent with

college and Board of Trustees policies,

and the current course numbering

system.

Course Code: (eg. ACC 101)

ENG*298 Prerequisites:

Course Type: L or D

Prerequisite: B- or better in Composition or permission of Department Chair.

A: Clinical B: Lab D: Distance Learning I: Individual/Independent L: Lecture M: Seminar N: Internship P: Practicum U: Studio X: Combined Lecture/Lab Y: Combined Lecture/ Clinical/Lab Z: Combined Lecture/Studio

Credit Hours: 3 Corequisites:

Developmental: (yes/no) no

None

Contact Hours:

LectureClinical

3

Lab 0

Studio Other

0

TOTAL 3 Other Requirements:

Class Maximum: 21 None

Semesters Offered:

Ability Based Education (ABE)

Statement

At Tunxis Community College students are assessed on the knowledge and skills they have learned. The faculty identified the General Education Abilities critical to students’ success in their professional and personal lives. In every class, students are assessed on course abilities, sometimes program abilities, and, in most classes, at least one General Education Ability. Students will receive an evaluation of the degree to which they have demonstrated or not demonstrated that General Education Ability. 

Catalog Course Description:

An introduction to the standard practices of screenwriting. Students will analyze cinematic techniques and character and plot development in films and screenplays. Students will practice writing in an accepted screenwriting format and share their work in a workshop environment. Students will write treatments, “pitch” project proposals, and create storyboards that visually communicate their ideas to others. Prerequisite: B- or better in Composition or permission of Department Chair

Topical Outline: List course content

in outline format.

1. Overview of standard formats of screenplays and genres 2. Exposition, conflict and resolution 3. The three-act structure 4. Managing sub-plots and multiple storylines 5. Writing the scene 6. Writing effective dialogue 7. Creating main and supporting characters 8. Creating conflict with complications and reversals 9. Reducing tensions

ST: Creative Writing: Screenwriting COURSE SYLLABUS — page 2

10. Writing the short script 11. Peer review and rewriting 12. Treatments and loglines 13. Storyboarding action 14. Pitching the project 15. Writing scripts in the corporate environment

Outcomes: Describe measurable

skills or knowledge that students should

be able to demonstrate as

evidence that they have mastered the

course content.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following:

COURSE:

1. Identify effective techniques for developing characters and plots in films and manuscripts and execute them in scripts 2. Write scripts that conform to standard screenwriting formats 3. Communicate a story idea in an oral presentation 4. Express a story visually 5. Identify and evaluate elements of screenwriting including dialogue, plot, and character

development

PROGRAM: N/A

GENERAL EDUCATION:

Evaluation: List how the above

outcomes will be assessed.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

1. 3-5 page short screenplay 2. Treatment(s) and logline(s) 3. Oral presentation(s) 4. 20-30 page screenplay 5. Storyboard 6. Written and oral critiques of peers

Instructional Resources:

List library (e.g. books, journals, on-

line resources), technological (e.g.

Smartboard, software), and other

resources (e.g. equipment, supplies,

facilities) required and desired to teach

this course.

Required:

Final Draft scriptwriting software (or other standard scripting software)

Computer Classroom

Desired:

None

Textbook(s)

Textbook suggestions include the following: The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier, Elements of Style for Screenwriters by Paul Argentini, , Writing Great Characters: The Psychology of Character Development in Screenplays by Michael Halperin, The Screenwriter’s Workbook by Sid Field, Story: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee